A well-placed pair of punches face-planted Ramos (3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) to the canvas just 30 seconds into the fight, giving Herrera (9-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) his first UFC win.

The welterweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 78 event at Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Mexico. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass ahead of additional prelims and a main card on FOX Sports 1.

A bouncy Ramos came out aggressively against Herrera with low kicks, one of which seemed to land south. But the first time Herrera let his hands go, he placed an uppercut on Ramos’ law and then followed with a straight right that forced referee intervention.

“Fighting in the UFC is a dream come true,” Herrera said. “The Mexican people gave me so much energy. Facing Vernon was really hard because we are such good friends, but that is how it goes in this sport.”

With Herrera and Ramos both eliminated in the “TUF” quarterfinals, Herrera takes a head start in his UFC career while Ramos suffers the first pro loss of his short resume.

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